802.11ag =============== .. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 :hidden: :includehidden: 802_11ag/802_11ag 802_11ag/mac_functions 802_11ag/mac_timings 802_11ag/packet_formats 802_11ag/power_save 802_11ag/interoperability 802_11ag/physical_rates 802_11ag/ppdu IEEE 802.11ag is a non-standard term sometimes used informally to describe dual-band devices that support both 802.11a (5 GHz) and 802.11g (2.4 GHz), enabling broader compatibility and flexible frequency operation. .. list-table:: :widths: 20 60 20 :header-rows: 1 * - Category - Description - Use Case * - MAC Functions - Core MAC layer functions such as frame addressing, error detection, and medium access across dual-band support (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). - Reliable communication and channel management in multi-band WLANs * - MAC Timings - Timing rules like SIFS, DIFS, and backoff intervals applicable to both 802.11a and 802.11g operations. - Optimizing transmission coordination and avoiding collisions in mixed-frequency networks * - Packet Formats - Unified frame structures compatible with both 802.11a and 802.11g, including headers, control fields, and frame body. - Enabling seamless frame exchange across bands and device types * - Power Save - Power saving features adopted from both 802.11a and 802.11g, using sleep modes and beacon-based data delivery. - Battery life enhancement in dual-band portable devices * - Interoperability - Cross-band communication mechanisms ensuring compatibility with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz devices. - Mixed-environment deployment with legacy and modern clients * - Physical Rates - Data rates from both standards: 6–54 Mbps (802.11a, OFDM) and 1–54 Mbps (802.11g, DSSS/OFDM). - Adaptive throughput selection based on channel and band conditions * - PPDU - Support for both OFDM-based PPDU (802.11a/g) and DSSS-based (for backward compatibility in g). - Ensuring proper frame encapsulation based on operating band .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ag MAC Functions **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ag (2003) **Main Features:** - Combines MAC functions of both 802.11a (5 GHz, OFDM) and 802.11g (2.4 GHz, DSSS/OFDM) - Supports CSMA/CA for medium access across both frequency bands - Handles retransmissions, fragmentation, and acknowledgment processes - Manages frame delimiting, addressing, and CRC-based error detection - Coordinates with PHY layer for band-specific transmission behavior - Supports backwards compatibility with 802.11b (via 802.11g) **Use Cases:** - Unified MAC operation for dual-band Wi-Fi devices - Supporting legacy and high-speed clients in mixed-frequency environments - Ensuring smooth roaming between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks **Related Functions:** - Frame control logic shared across 802.11a/g - Inter-band coordination for seamless packet delivery - Beacon handling and timing synchronization across bands - Power management operations in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ag MAC Functions:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`mac_functions Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ag/mac_functions.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ag MAC Functions" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ag MAC Timings **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ag (2003) **Main Features:** - Combines timing behaviors from both 802.11a and 802.11g standards - Uses Interframe Spaces (SIFS, DIFS, PIFS) for coordinating medium access - Employs CSMA/CA with standardized backoff timers and slot durations - Ensures timing synchronization across both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands - Manages contention windows and acknowledgment delays effectively - Supports quality of service via timing prioritization mechanisms **Use Cases:** - Coordinating access timing in dual-band WLANs - Avoiding collisions in mixed-client environments - Supporting real-time applications (e.g., VoIP, video) through timing control **Related Timing Parameters:** - Short Interframe Space (SIFS) - Distributed Interframe Space (DIFS) - Arbitration Interframe Space (AIFS) - Contention Window (CWmin, CWmax) and slot time .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ag MAC Timings:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`mac_timings Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ag/mac_timings.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ag MAC Timings" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ag Packet Formats **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ag (2003) **Main Features:** - Defines the combined MAC and PHY frame structure for both 2.4 GHz (802.11g) and 5 GHz (802.11a) bands - Maintains standard fields like Frame Control, Duration/ID, Address fields, Sequence Control, and FCS - Supports both legacy and QoS-enhanced data, management, and control frames - Incorporates OFDM-based PHY frame structures in both bands - Ensures backward compatibility with 802.11b in 2.4 GHz through protection mechanisms - Allows frame fragmentation and reassembly for efficient transmission **Use Cases:** - Supporting dual-band packet handling across heterogeneous networks - Ensuring compatibility and seamless packet exchange with older 802.11b/g devices - Structuring frames for secure, high-throughput communication **Related Frame Types:** - Management frames (e.g., Beacon, Association Request) - Control frames (e.g., ACK, RTS, CTS) - Data frames (including QoS Data, Null Data, etc.) .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ag Packet Formats:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`packet_formats Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ag/packet_formats.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ag Packet Formats" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ag Power Saving Mechanisms **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ag (2003) **Main Features:** - Inherits Power Save Mode (PSM) functionality from 802.11a/g for dual-band operation - Allows stations to sleep and periodically wake to check for buffered frames - Access Point (AP) indicates pending data using TIM and DTIM in beacon frames - Works with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands to deliver power-efficient wireless service - Supports Unscheduled Automatic Power Save Delivery (U-APSD) for QoS-aware applications - Integrates power-saving signaling at the MAC layer for client coordination **Use Cases:** - Prolonging battery life in dual-band Wi-Fi devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) - Reducing power draw in wireless-enabled IoT and embedded systems - Enhancing energy efficiency without compromising data delivery quality **Related Mechanisms:** - Traffic Indication Map (TIM) and Delivery TIM (DTIM) in beacon frames - PSM and U-APSD coordination - Sleep/wake negotiation through MAC signaling .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ag Power Saving mechanisms:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`power_save Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ag/power_save.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ag Power Saving" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ag Interoperability **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ag (2003) **Main Features:** - Ensures interoperability between 802.11a (5 GHz) and 802.11g (2.4 GHz) devices using dual-band capability - Combines the PHY of 802.11a (OFDM) with the broader 2.4 GHz spectrum of 802.11g - Maintains standard MAC frame formats for compatibility across bands - Supports coexistence with 802.11b/g networks through backward-compatible modes - Uses Clear Channel Assessment (CCA), CSMA/CA, and standardized management frames - Promotes seamless vendor-neutral communication across dual-band environments **Use Cases:** - Dual-band client devices accessing both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz APs - Supporting roaming and connectivity across mixed 802.11a/b/g environments - Enabling device flexibility in enterprise and consumer-grade networks **Related Mechanisms:** - PHY-level compatibility between 802.11a and 802.11g - Standardized MAC procedures (e.g., association, authentication) - Vendor-neutral roaming and channel negotiation .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ag Interoperability mechanisms:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`interoperability Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ag/interoperability.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ag Interoperability" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ag Physical Rates **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ag (2003) **Main Features:** - Supports physical layer data rates from 1 Mbps up to 54 Mbps using dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) - Combines OFDM from 802.11a and DSSS/CCK from 802.11g for flexible modulation - Offers selectable data rates: 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 54 Mbps - Allows dynamic rate shifting based on signal quality and channel conditions - Operates over both 20 MHz 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels for enhanced compatibility - Enables interoperability with legacy 802.11b and modern 802.11a devices **Use Cases:** - Unified wireless access across both legacy and modern Wi-Fi devices - Seamless media streaming and data transfers in diverse RF environments - High-speed wireless networking with dual-band flexibility **Related Concepts:** - OFDM and DSSS modulation coexistence - Rate fallback and adaptation techniques - Dual-band radio design for throughput optimization .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ag Physical Rates:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`physical_rates Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ag/physical_rates.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ag Physical Rates" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ag PPDU **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ag (2003) **Main Features:** - Defines the Physical Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) structure for dual-band 802.11ag - Includes preambles for both DSSS/CCK (from 802.11g) and OFDM (from 802.11a) modulation - SIGNAL field conveys data rate and frame length for decoding - Payload encapsulates MAC frames for transmission over 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz - Supports interoperability between 802.11a and 802.11g devices - Enables flexible PHY operations over varying channel conditions **Use Cases:** - Enabling robust packet delivery across different bands and modulation schemes - Maintaining synchronization and compatibility in dual-mode environments - Supporting legacy and high-speed devices in mixed Wi-Fi deployments **Related Concepts:** - PPDU structure variations based on PHY mode (OFDM or DSSS/CCK) - SIGNAL and SERVICE field alignment across modes - Backward-compatible frame formatting for hybrid networks .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ag PPDU:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`ppdu Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ag/ppdu.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ag PPDU"